The sign outside the Jack in the Box is seen in Westminster, Colorado February 22, 2017. REUTERS/Rick Wilking
(Reuters) – Jack in the Box Inc (JACK.O), a U.S. hamburger restaurant chain with more than 2,000 restaurants, is exploring options that could include a sale of the company after divesting its Qdoba brand earlier this year, people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday.
A sale would be the latest in a series of deals in the fast food sector this year, including the sale of drive-in burger chain Sonic to Arby’s owner Inspire Brands for about $1.57 billion.
Jack in the Box started talks with potential buyers this month, including private equity firms, the sources said. There is no certainty that any deal will be reached, the sources added, asking not to be identified because the matter is confidential.
Jack in the Box did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Reporting by Joshua Franklin and Harry Brumpton in New York; Additional reporting by Liana B. Baker in New York; Editing by Bill Rigby